COLCHESTER United extended their unbeaten home run to 14 games with a hard-earned draw against promotion-chasing Birmingham City this afternoon.The U's have now won 12 and drawn two of their last 14 Layer Road fixtures, a fantastic achievement.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United extended their unbeaten home run to 14 games with a hard-earned draw against promotion-chasing Birmingham City this afternoon.

The U's have now won 12 and drawn two of their last 14 Layer Road fixtures, a fantastic achievement.

And Geraint Williams' men gave City a scare by taking the lead, thanks to Kem Izzet's smart finish, before Stephen Clemence rescued a point for the visitors just 11 minutes later.

Midfielder Izzet broke the deadlock with his first goal for more than two seasons in the 56th minute. Jamie Cureton's initial shot cannoned back off the far post, but Izzet reacted first to bury the rebound.

However, the U's could not hold onto their lead, and ex-Tottenham man Clemence nodded home Gary McSheffrey's 65th minute corner, giving keeper Dean Gerken no chance.

Both sides had opportunities to snatch a winner during a frantic last 20 minutes. Birmingham finished the stronger, with the U's hanging on a little, but this was a hard-earned point.

Manchester City loanee Matthew Mills had recovered from his dead leg, sustained during the second-half of the Preston game, but right-midfielder Richard Garcia was still sidelined with a thigh strain.